Paediatric Para-Meningeal Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in the Nasal Cavity

ABSTRACT Introduction Rhabdomyosarcoma is the second most common malignant soft tissue tumor, which is of skeletal muscle in origin. Alveolar subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma is commonly seen in 10-25 years of age. We present a rare case of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in a one year old child. Case report A one-year-old boy presented with swelling and nasal discharge in the left nasal cavity of two months duration. Examination showed a smooth pink-coloured mass in the left nasal cavity arising from the lateral wall. Fine needle aspiration cytology, biopsy, imaging studies and immunohistochemistry were done and a diagnosis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma confirmed. Treatment was done by chemoradiation.  Discussion Biopsy and immunohistochemistry are the gold standard investigations for rhabdomyosarcoma. It requires a multimodal treatment approach including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Keywords Rhabdomyosarcoma; Paediatric malignancy; Para meningeal; Alveolar; Nasal cavity